Gran Carneval de Tierno (Sardelas de Tierno)

The historic carnival of Tierno

The Gran Carneval de Tierno, also known as Sardelas de Tierno, is one of the oldest and most cherished carnival traditions in Trentino. For over a century, the festival has brought life to the village of Tierno, in the Municipality of Mori, located in the province of Trento within the Vallagarina valley. Its first documented record dates back to 1901, although local sources trace the origins of the tradition back to the 18th century, making it one of the most deep-rooted carnivals in the entire Trentino-Alto Adige region.

The Taglio del Bigol and bigoi co' le sardele

The iconic moment of the event is the famous Taglio del Bigol, the opening ceremony that officially launches the festivities at noon. From that moment on, the distribution of bigoi co' le sardele begins—the traditional carnival dish of Tierno: long pasta seasoned with sardines, served to all participants until supplies run out. It is around this popular specialty that the gastronomic and community identity of the event is built.

Masks, parades, and shows

The classic program for the day includes a children's mask parade, entertainment and games for the little ones, clown shows and street performers, live music, and DJ sets. The party continues until the evening, when the square lights up with fire shows and special effects. The atmosphere is typical of village carnivals: spontaneous, familiar, and deeply rooted in the community.

An event run by volunteers

The Gran Carneval de Tierno is organized by the Associazione Carnevale Tierno, founded in 2018 to revive the event after about a decade of absence. The association brings together about eighty volunteers of all ages, from 17 to 94, who work all year round on the preparation of the sets, which are made entirely by hand. It is precisely this collective effort that makes the Tierno carnival an authentic heritage of popular traditions and folklore in the Vallagarina.

When it takes place

The festival is held on a weekend during the Carnival period, between February and March, in Piazza della Repubblica in Tierno. Each edition features a different theme around which floats, sets, and masks are built: in 2025, the theme was "Tiernostock," a tribute to the free love of the Sixties.